IHS Loan Repayment Program
Healthcare Industry
Organizations Involved
Occupations Involved
Workforce Development Focus
Workforce Issues Addressed
Federal Department and Agencies
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Healthcare, general
Increasing number of healthcare workers AND healthcare workforce retention
Opportunity for educational reimbursement; attracting individuals to work in a health profession
Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) provides healthcare professionals with up to $50,000 over two years for student loan repayment, in exchange for practicing in healthcare facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The purposes of the program are to increase the workforce capacity of Indian health centers/programs in the short-term and retain IHS LRP participants at those Indian health centers/programs after their service obligations are complete. There are over 25 health professions that are eligible to participate in the IHS LRP, including professions in nursing, dentistry, behavioral health and pharmacy.